CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-680 vs Intel Core i5-750
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-680 is the final and fastest Clarkdale dual-core desktop processor at 3.6GHz, launched in April 2010 at $294.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Best single-threaded performance in Clarkdale but still insufficient for modern productivity.
Four cores help with basic multitasking but modern productivity apps will feel sluggish.
Gaming
High clock speed helps slightly but the dual-core design remains a fundamental barrier.
With a discrete GPU, can handle older games but cannot run modern titles at acceptable frame rates due to CPU limitations.
Virtualization
Two cores with Hyper-Threading remain inadequate.
Four real cores provide usable virtualization for lightweight VMs.
Efficiency
73W for 3.6GHz on 32nm was reasonable for 2010 but poor by modern standards.
95W for four 45nm cores is inefficient by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- Unsuitable for any ML workload
- No AI acceleration instructions
- Far too slow for any ML workload
Content Creation
Gaming
- 3.6GHz clock cannot compensate for two cores in modern games
- 733MHz HD Graphics far too weak for 3D rendering
- Even with a discrete GPU in 2010, quad-cores were preferable
- Cannot run modern AAA games at playable frame rates
- With a capable discrete GPU, older titles (pre-2015) run adequately
- The 2.666GHz base clock is a significant bottleneck
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Fastest Clarkdale processor ever made
- 3.866GHz turbo boost was impressive for 2010
- Maintained 73W TDP despite high clocks
- Strong single-threaded legacy performance
- Interesting piece of Intel frequency scaling history
Cons
- $294 price was exorbitant for two cores
- Dramatically outperformed in multi-threaded tasks by the $176 i5-750
- No AVX support
- Weak 733MHz integrated graphics
- Completely obsolete for any modern use
Pros
- Four real cores provided strong 2009-era performance
- 8MB L3 cache was generous for the price
- Turbo boost significantly improved single-threaded performance
- Excellent value that redefined mainstream desktop pricing
- Overclockable via BCLK with good headroom
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded vs i7 Lynnfield
- No integrated graphics requires a discrete GPU
- 45nm process is obsolete
- No AVX instruction support
- LGA 1156 platform is dead with no upgrade path
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-680
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-750Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X4 965Rival
High-Frequency Quad-Core
- Intel Core i7-860Rival
Lynnfield i7
- AMD Phenom II X4 970Rival
Fastest Phenom II Quad
- Intel Core i7-870Rival
High-End Lynnfield
Intel Core i5-750
- AMD Phenom II X4 965Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X4 955Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-920Rival
High-End Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X6 1055TRival
Six-Core Desktop
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650Rival
Legacy Quad-Core
- Intel Core i7-860Alt
Eight threads via Hyper-Threading for better multi-threaded performance.
Higher clock speed on the same platform for a small premium.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
The fastest Clarkdale ever made, but at $294 for two cores, it was a tough sell against the i5-750. Now entirely obsolete.
Best for: Completing a Clarkdale collection or keeping an existing system running
Read the full reviewA landmark processor that offered excellent quad-core value in 2009-2010. Completely obsolete today but historically significant as the processor that established the Core i5 brand.
Best for: Keeping an existing LGA 1156 Lynnfield system functional for light tasks
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-680 or Intel Core i5-750?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-750 comes out ahead with a score of 5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-680 or Intel Core i5-750?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-750 leads with a gaming performance score of 12/100 among Intel Core i5-680 and Intel Core i5-750.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-680 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-680 (73 W), Intel Core i5-750 (95 W).
Do Intel Core i5-680 and Intel Core i5-750 use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1156 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-750 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-680 (2 cores), Intel Core i5-750 (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-750 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-680 (5,050), Intel Core i5-750 (6,750). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.